KUALA LUMPUR, 23 March 2009: The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Witness Protection Bill 2008, which among others, will enable witnesses to be given new identities so that they will not come to harm.

The Bill tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz was approved without any amendments made.

“The MyKad identity document of the witness will be changed to conceal his identity including the family name so he will not be exposed. As long there is any threat to his safety, he will be paced under a witness protection programme,” Mohamed Nazri said when winding debate on the Bill.

He added that only persons authorised by the Attorney-General could have access to the identities of such protected witnesses.

Unauthorized revealing of their identities can earn the offender a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or jail up to 10 years or both, if convicted. — Bernama